Driving in to town tonight to get a belt for my son we ran across an interesting scene. Let me set it for you. It is dark outside, the road into town moderately traveled. We drive past three churches, dark and then ahead, the flash of lights, the ones that make you check the speedometer. Slowing to a crawl because the shoulder is narrow and this one is crowded. A large dark SUV is over the edge, right wheels into the ditch, mud covering the front. Behind the SUV are three police cars, lights going, and behind them a small black sedan. Three policemen are struggling with a young man in cuffs, he is yelling and cursing. In front of the black sedan a young woman, (his girl?) and an older woman holding her, the sobs of the younger woman shaking her.
Swinging partway into the other lane, I drive past the congestion and in one of those moments of timelessness my eyes meet the eyes of the older lady. Life has not been good to her, sorrow heavy on her face, a bittersweet smile touches her lips. My movement carries us beyond her and on the SUV I see it, The Symbol. Tied tightly to the top of the SUV, snow still caught in it's branches, The Christmas Tree. At that moment, through my open window I hear the man scream...CHRISTMAS SUCKS!
I agree with him.
What have we turned Christmas into? An orgy of possessions and disappointments. The symbol? A place to collect more possessions. Right now outside this home are millions of people rushing from store to grinning store, grimly in pursuit of that perfect gift. Why is there more depression, suicides and bitter divorces at this time then any other? Because Christmas sucks! Christmas is the season of disappointment and bitterness. The season of going into debt for more possessions that aren't needed, for junk that will be gone next year. Toys for kids that will break them in 2 days and cry because they want more. The stress of trying to do it all for family that will eat dinner in 15 minutes and be snoozing in front of the game for the rest of the day. And why? I don't know. Do you? And above it all, that futile feeling, what a waste. Xmas should be flushed down the toilet.
Tell them about Christ? Sorry, these are the Christians. Remember those three dark churches? This is Sunday night, they are shut up tonight so the members can go shopping and not miss the big sales.
And the older lady? I am sure I will see her in church next week, smiling and lying about how nice this season is along with the rest of us. Just look at her eyes.
Swinging partway into the other lane, I drive past the congestion and in one of those moments of timelessness my eyes meet the eyes of the older lady. Life has not been good to her, sorrow heavy on her face, a bittersweet smile touches her lips. My movement carries us beyond her and on the SUV I see it, The Symbol. Tied tightly to the top of the SUV, snow still caught in it's branches, The Christmas Tree. At that moment, through my open window I hear the man scream...CHRISTMAS SUCKS!
I agree with him.
What have we turned Christmas into? An orgy of possessions and disappointments. The symbol? A place to collect more possessions. Right now outside this home are millions of people rushing from store to grinning store, grimly in pursuit of that perfect gift. Why is there more depression, suicides and bitter divorces at this time then any other? Because Christmas sucks! Christmas is the season of disappointment and bitterness. The season of going into debt for more possessions that aren't needed, for junk that will be gone next year. Toys for kids that will break them in 2 days and cry because they want more. The stress of trying to do it all for family that will eat dinner in 15 minutes and be snoozing in front of the game for the rest of the day. And why? I don't know. Do you? And above it all, that futile feeling, what a waste. Xmas should be flushed down the toilet.
Tell them about Christ? Sorry, these are the Christians. Remember those three dark churches? This is Sunday night, they are shut up tonight so the members can go shopping and not miss the big sales.
And the older lady? I am sure I will see her in church next week, smiling and lying about how nice this season is along with the rest of us. Just look at her eyes.
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